What Can I Do to Decrease My Child’s Chances of Getting Cavities?

All children can be at risk of getting cavities, and many factors can contribute to the incidence of cavities. According to the CDC, it is found that tooth decay remains one of the most common childhood diseases. It's essential to seek regular dental care with Dr. Bowden to evaluate your child's mouth for preventive care, an examination of teeth, and other oral structures. Here we will discuss some of the preventive measures you can apply to help prevent cavities.

Procedure to Prevent Tooth Decay/Cavities in Your Child Teeth:

Here are some specific measures you can take to decrease your child's chances of getting cavities.

1. Start Early With Good Oral Hygiene: A regular oral hygiene removes bacteria and other leftover food particles that can combine to create cavities. For infants, it's necessary to use a clean washcloth to wipe out the plaque and gums


2. Regular Brushing and Flossing: Brush and floss your child's teeth to avoid cavities. Brushing teeth in the morning and before bed removes plaque. Flossing does the same and gets in between teeth area where tooth bristles are not able to reach


3. Fluoridated Tooth Paste: It's recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, that the fluoride toothpaste should be used twice daily as a primary preventive procedure. It's also notable that parents should dispense the appropriate volume of toothpaste based on child's age. For children, less than the age of 2, use only a smear of fluoride toothpaste. For children from the age of 2 through 5 years, a 'Pea-Size' amount of toothpaste is appropriate. For more information about fluoride toothpaste, please speak to Dr. Bowden to find out what's the best option for your child


4. Less Exposure to Sugary Foods: The more the sugary foods are consumed, the more bacteria can be build up. The bacteria build-up digests the sugar, which produces acid as a waste product in the tooth surface that leads to cavities. Try to limit the sugary foods for your child's oral health, especially before bedtime.


5. Visit the Dentist Regularly: The American Dental Association recommends that children should have their first dental visit by their first birthday and then every six months for cleaning and dental check-up. Dr. Bowden also recommends the use of dental sealant as an excellent preventive measure. It can also be applied to your child's molar to prevent tooth decay on hard to clean surfaces.

Schedule your appointment with Dr. Bowden by calling us at (915) 585-6373.